Author: Aaron Grossman

I am a 5th grade teacher at Roy Gomm Elementary in Reno, Nevada. I started working with elementary students as part of the Montana Reads program and AmeriCorps. In 2001, after graduating from the University of Montana and moving to Reno, Nevada, I student taught at Rita Cannan Elementary before receiving a 6th grade position at Veterans Elementary. I moved out of the classroom to be a Literacy Coordinator, then an Instructional Coach, and finally a School Improvement Program Coordinator. In 2011, I began working on the Nevada Academic Content Standards in the district’s Curriculum & Instruction Department. I returned to the classroom for the 2015-2016 school year to teach 4th grade at Huffaker Elementary. Before returning to the classroom, I helped develop the Core Task Project that has been featured by National Public Radio, the Gates Foundation, American Radio Works, Eduwonk, the Fordham Institute, Vox, and the Center for American Progress. In 2014, I received the Leader to Learn From Award for my teacher-centered initiative and work to bring college, career, and civics ready outcomes into Northern Nevada classrooms (here). In 2015, I was appointed by Governor Sandoval serve on the Statewide RPDP Council. The same year, Nevada’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction Steve Canavero placed me on the state’s State Improvement Team. This year I will be part of the National Council on Teacher Quality’s Teacher Advisory Group. I am Google Certified Educator and a Nevada Teacher Ambassador. I believe strongly that teaching content is teaching reading and I make sure my students have ample opportunities to work with social studies, history, science and art outcomes. I do what I can to blend the learning for my students and this blog is part of that effort. You can contact me at coretaskproject@gmail.com

Holiday Card Submissions

Students participated in the district’s Holiday Art Contest, but with a twist. I asked them to consider what is iconic about Northern Nevada, what symbolizes our community, and to apply art techniques, we’ve learned over the last two years, to their pieces.

Halloween 2025

Thank you, Jill, Allison, and Katie, for putting together such a terrific Halloween celebration! The day included a classroom auction, writing connected to our Pro Se Court, a Trex weigh-in, additional work with conversion factors, and a series of fun and spooky Halloween activities.

Please Vote!

Please vote for our Dolan Class Project! Voting runs through October 5th. You can vote once each day. https://cont.st/vBTqLR_dpcqLQP?g=1

First Week of 5th Grade

Our first week included community building, academics, and even a little friendship bracelet making. We reintroduced our fluency protocol and shared scripts with 1st- and 2nd-grade classrooms about Hunsberger’s schoolwide expectations: being Responsible, Respectful, and Safe.

The 2025-2026 Classroom

Although it may not be obvious, there have been many changes since just a year ago. Some are more noticeable than others, but my favorite is the gift from the students. Look closely, and you’ll see artistic succulents arranged around a set of mirrors. It’s a wonderful piece created by our art teacher, Mrs. Fritz.

Donations to the Economy

Thank you to the companies that have donated to our Classroom Economy. We truly appreciate your support and recognition of the importance of financial literacy standards.

Field Day 2024-2025

What a great day for Field Day. The students completed 10 rotations in under two hours, finishing with a Sponge Relay Race. It was a perfect way to spend their penultimate day in 4th grade.

Last Auction of the 24/25 School Year

Thank you to all the companies and families who generously contributed to our classroom economy. One of the goals of this system is to instill the habit of saving and thinking long-term, rather than seeking immediate gratification. Our final auction truly reinforced this value—some students walked away with quite the haul!

Mother’s Day Gift Making

Thank you to Sherry, Ensley’s grandmother, for leading the class through the Mother’s Day experience. Sherry has been working with the Sierra Watercolor Society and was able to demonstrate some watercolor techniques to the students.

Toastmasters: Famous Nevadan

Just before Spring Break, our class completed a Toastmasters session. Led entirely by the students, each participant delivered a short first-person speech about a famous Nevadan. Even better, parents attended—answering trivia, offering feedback, and even trying to guess the punchlines to student jokes!